What Did Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Teach About Saving Faith in Romans 10:9-10?

What is the central focus of Romans 10:9-10 according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Romans 10:9-10 provides a clear definition of saving faith. He emphasizes that these verses define "what is meant by saving faith" and serve as "a wonderful synopsis, a statement concerning the way of justification by faith only." He sees this passage as particularly relevant to his time (and ours) because the doctrine of justification by faith alone was being questioned and challenged, just as it was during Martin Luther's time.

How does Lloyd-Jones explain the importance of doctrine versus experience in Christianity?

Lloyd-Jones strongly emphasizes that doctrine must come before experience in Christianity. He warns against those who say, "you can't rob me of my experience" while neglecting doctrinal truth. He states, "If you once take up the position that truth itself doesn't matter, that you don't care what science says, you don't care what philosophy says... but nothing can rob you of your experience. Well then how are you going to answer the people who belong to the cults who say exactly the same thing?" He insists that "we put first the truth, and experience only comes second." Christianity is based on "certain great objective truths and facts," not merely subjective experiences.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the content of saving faith?

Lloyd-Jones identifies two main aspects of the content of saving faith from Romans 10:9-10: 1. Confessing "the Lord Jesus" or that "Jesus is Lord" - acknowledging His deity, pre-existence, incarnation, and lordship 2. Believing that "God has raised Him from the dead" - embracing the literal, physical resurrection of Christ

He stresses that these statements aren't merely verbal formulas but contain profound theological content that must be understood and embraced.

Why does Lloyd-Jones emphasize the importance of the virgin birth?

Lloyd-Jones argues that the virgin birth is an essential part of confessing "Jesus is Lord." He states, "This commits us then to the whole doctrine of the incarnation and included the doctrine of the virgin birth." He points to Luke 1:26 and other passages, insisting that the gospels clearly teach Christ was "conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary." He refutes those who dismiss the virgin birth, showing how it's connected to Christ's sinlessness - He was born "in the likeness of sinful flesh" but without sin Himself.

What does Lloyd-Jones say about the resurrection of Christ?

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes the literal, physical resurrection of Christ as essential to the Christian faith. He states it "doesn't mean that you just believe that the spirit of Jesus has gone on and that he can still influence us... No, what the New Testament teaches is that our Lord literally came out of the grave in the body and that the grave was empty." He cites 1 Corinthians 15 to show that without the resurrection, our faith is "vain" and we are "yet in our sins." The resurrection proves Christ's deity and lordship, confirming He is who He claimed to be.

Why does Lloyd-Jones say we can't "play fast and loose" with the four Gospels?

Lloyd-Jones insists that the Gospels were written with a specific purpose - to prove that Jesus is indeed Lord. He cites John 20:30-31 where John explicitly states, "But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." The Gospels provide the evidence for Christ's lordship through His claims, His teaching style, His miracles, His power over evil spirits, and His control over nature. To dismiss parts of the Gospels we find difficult is to undermine the very foundation of our faith.